Chapter 275

After waiting in the private room for what felt like an eternity, Glenda still hadn't arrived. Elyse went to look for her, walking down the corridor. Suddenly, Glenda rounded the corner and rushed toward her. Confused, Elyse asked, "Where have you been? What took you so long?"

Glenda avoided Elyse's gaze and mumbled, "Oh, er, nothing." Without offering an explanation, she grabbed Elyse's hand and pulled her into the elevator.

Elyse felt something was wrong and tried to pull away, but Glenda only tightened her grip. Frowning, Elyse asked, "Where are you taking me?"

"Somewhere we can talk alone," Glenda said, forcing a smile. Reaching the seventh floor, Glenda unlocked a room with her key card and beckoned Elyse inside. Elyse looked around the empty room suspiciously and asked warily, "Mom, did you book a room just to talk to me?"

Glenda nodded. "Yes, I didn't want anyone to interrupt us. Here, have some water. You must be thirsty." She thrust a glass of water at Elyse, who hesitated.

Knowing Glenda was never this solicitous, Elyse remained wary. However, she reasoned that Glenda probably needed help with Mabel's problem. If Glenda wanted her help, she wouldn't hurt her, right?

So she accepted the water and took a sip. The moment her lips touched the glass, Glenda's eyes gleamed triumphantly. With a smug smile, she made Elyse sit down.

Glenda then attempted a normal, loving motherly conversation. "How's work? Is everything going well?"

Elyse smiled bitterly. She was trending online due to her recent violin performances and had even been interviewed by the local news. If Glenda cared, she would know this. Even now, Glenda only focused on Mabel.

Elyse forced a smile and replied, "I'm good, Mom. Everything's going really well."

Glenda asked more questions, and Elyse answered until she felt dizzy. She shook her head to stay alert, but her mind began to fog. Touching her forehead, she slurred, "Did I not sleep enough last night? I feel so sleepy."

Glenda grinned. She stood and led Elyse to the bed. "Here, take a nap. I've already paid for the room."

Elyse realized something was terribly wrong, but she was too sleepy to understand. Her brain felt like it was shutting down too quickly. Why?

Then she remembered the water. It must have been drugged. Desperate to stay awake, she bit her lip. But sleepiness overwhelmed her. She whimpered, "Mom, did you drug me?"

Elyse had guessed correctly. Glenda sneered, "You ruined my daughter's career. You owe her. I had to do something."

Elyse's heart sank. Her own mother was willing to hurt her for her sister's career. She wanted to ask if Glenda was even her biological mother. Why did Glenda only love Mabel?

But Elyse didn't get the chance. Her mouth felt cottony, her eyelids heavy as lead. She fell fast asleep.

Glenda, her task complete, called Mabel. Mabel was ecstatic. "Mom, did you do it? Did you get Elyse to fall asleep?"

Glenda smiled complacently. "Yes, she's asleep. Now for the next step."

"Mom, you're the best! I love you so much," Mabel gushed.

"You can leave now. The person I arranged will be there soon."

"Okay, I'll be right out." After hanging up, Glenda looked at the sleeping Elyse, her expression vicious. "I raised you for decades, and you ruined my daughter's career. You bitch!"

Glenda sneered and left, leaving Elyse alone, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

Meanwhile, Jayden arrived home to find Elyse missing. He asked Driscoll, "Where's Elyse?"

"She hasn't come home yet. The driver reported that her mother took her to dinner at a hotel, so she's likely still there," Driscoll replied.

"Glenda took her to a hotel for dinner?" Jayden loosened his collar, sensing something was wrong. "Is the driver still with them?"

Driscoll nodded. "Yes, he's in the parking garage, waiting for Mrs. Owen's call."

Jayden's expression darkened. "Tell him to find Elyse immediately. He must see her before reporting back."

Driscoll raised an eyebrow. "Are you worried her mother did something to her?"

Jayden nodded. Knowing Glenda, she would never treat Elyse to dinner. Driscoll was confused. "But it's normal for a mother to take her daughter to dinner, right?"

Jayden didn't answer. It was normal, but what if Glenda only had one daughter—Mabel?